ebra

In September I decided it was time to spend a considerable chunk of my SK *A miles to try an award trip in F. I wanted to go to the US, fly as many miles as possible in true F and try the much talked about LH First Class Terminal in FRA. With an SK award you are allowed a maximum of eight legs and no stopovers but connections of up to 24 hours.

After consulting the *A forum here on FT, I came up with CPH-FRA-JFK-LAX-JFK-FRA-CPH.

I was hoping to fly JFK-FRA on SQ, but after fooling around the excellent ANA *A booking engine for quite some time, I gave up finding a date with availability in F. So I ended up with CPH-FRA-CPH on SK C (no F on SK), FRA-JFK-FRA on LH F and JFK-LAX-LFK on UA F “Premium Service”. I booked it a little more than six months in advance, and the total taxes came to 1604 DKK – around 270 USD.

The closest thing to F I’ve ever flow was a fewyears ago when I flew VS Upper Class a few times, so I was really looking forward to tying real F.

Below a short report of the six legs are posted in individual posts.

Cheers.

ebra

1st leg (day 1):
CPH-FRA
Flight: SK1635, 17:40-19:10 (18:02-19:06)
Class: Business (I. No First on SK)
Seat: 1F

Okay, finally time for my first *A award trip in F, and after a chaotic day at the office, I arrived at CPH at about 16:15, checked in and went for the Scandinavian Lounge. It was semi busy, but I found a nice comfortable chair, settled with a glass of red wine, and answered a few emails on my laptop.

At about 17:15 I went for the gate and discovered that I was one of the last passengers to arrive. It was a full flight in C, so after crushing someone’s something in the overhead compartment with my Travelpro and being shouted at by a German in row 3 for doing it, I took my seat.

The flight was fairly uneventful. No pre-flight drinks, but the very nice crew was quick to serve the food once we were air borne. The light meal consisted of lime marinated shrimp and a delicious chocolate mousse (Note to self: Eat less chocolate!), and I had a nice cold Carlsberg. After that a cup of lukewarm coffee, and it was time to start the approach to FRA.

Following a brisk walk to the hotel shuttle, a 10 minute wait and a 10 minute drive, I arrived at the completely uninteresting – some might even say depressing – HI Frankfurt Airport-North, and checked in for a surprisingly eventful stay. You are not getting any details (this could be read by innocent minors!), but if it wasn’t for the events that transpired, I wouldn’t recommend the HI Frankfurt Airport-North. I was too cheap to spend the 10,000 Starwood points for the Sheraton at the airport, which as far as I remember is a good hotel, but next time I’ll be wiser.

ebra

2nd leg (day 2):
FRA-JFK
Flight: LH404, 17:05:19:15 (17:36-19:09)
Class: First (O)
Seat: 81K

After a good night’s sleep and a light breakfast, I shuttled back to FRA at 11:00 and walked to the First Class check-in. It was a busy day at the airport, and there was a considerable line. I think I waited maybe 15 minutes, before being greeted by the most indifferent LH-person I’ve ever met. He was about as close to deaf-mute you can get, and a far cry from what I would expect at a First Class check-in or any check-in for that matter. His only words were “Name?” and “What flight number?” – no “have a pleasant flight” and no mentioning of the FCT. This was my first LH F flight, I was looking forward to it, but this was a very disappointing introduction to the experience.

Anyways. I walked the five minutes to the famous FCT, and was met by a very welcoming lady, who escorted me to my first visit in Lounge Heaven. While she very kindly explained everything to me in perfect English, I went through the security check and found a nice quiet spot where I settled down with my laptop and a mojito to repair yesterday’s escapades. After a bit of relaxation I went to the dining area and had a steak and salad followed by a cappuccino, a port and a chocolate mousse (Hey! Didn’t I stop eating chocolate?) before I retired to an office booth to get a bit of work done.

Even though it was a busy day at FRA (EF showed my flight was full), there was a nice and tranquil atmosphere at the FCT, and the staff was very professional. If you, like I do, fly in economy 95 percent of the time, and the word “lounge” much too often means getting a free Pepsi in a plastic cup in a RCC, you really have to experience the FCT to believe it. I would have paid the 145,000 points just to spend a couple of hours there (or maybe not). How will I ever appreciate the Scandinavian Lounge at CPH after this?

At about 16:40 I was told it was time to board. Unfortunately there were quite a few passengers in the terminal going on the same flight as me, so no Porsche for me. They put five of us in a Mercedes mini van, drove us to the waiting plane and escorted us on board, where a FA showed us up stairs. F was full and it was clear that the FA’s were busy. They forgot to give me an amenities kit, empty glasses and cups were left standing for far too long, and the service didn’t seem quite as personal as I had hoped.

My pre flight drink was a nice glass of 1997 Taittinger champagne, and as soon as we were in the air, I had a cold Warsteiner beer and a glass of 2000 Niepoort port (More port. I’m drinking port, and I’m loving it! Does that mean I’m officially and old geezer?).

After that follow a wonderful meal consisting of:

- Sesame crusted tuna with papaya salad and soy sauce
- Chestnut stuffed breast of guinea hen and vegetable strips with ginger
- Drink: ‘97 Taittinger

- Spring lettuce medley with lime yogurt dressing and bread
- Drink: 97’ Taittinger

- Filet of beef with herb butter, green beans and potatoes au gratin
- Drink: 2003 Syrah, Wine of Origin Paarl, Glen Carlou, South Africa

- Cheese plate: Emmenthaler, Fourme d’Ambert, Morbier, Fougeru and Parmesan with grapes and cherry tomatoes
- Drink: 03 Syrah

- Filled chocolates with cappuccino and Cognac Lhéraud Cuvée 30.

About an hour an a half before landing, it was time for a light lunch:

- Baguette with pink roast beef, mayonnaise and capers, Bavarian blue with walnut on ciabatta
- Variety of fruit: Cantaloupe, kiwi, orange, grapefruit and blackberries

At this time I had worked my way through a considerable amount of 10 year Talisker single malt, so for the rest of the flight, I decided to stick with coke. I still had to navigate my way through the airport

Unfortunately I was sitting next to someone who kept bumping his elbow into me even though the seats were more than wide enough, but other than that I had a really comfortable flight. Sitting up I found the seat the most comfortable I’ve ever tried in the air, but the foot rest did not quite extend far enough for me (I’m 6’ 4” – 193 cm). This was however no problem once the seat was fully flat, and I slept like a baby for about an hour and a half.

Compared to VS Upper Class, which is the only comparable product I’ve tried, I would rate LH’s sitting comfort higher, but Upper Class turns into real beds with linen etc. and when I’m are travelling alone (which is almost always), I would prefer the privacy of the upper class pods.

All in all I really enjoyed the LH flight, but if it wasn’t for the FCT there is really not that much of a gap between the new C and the aging F (there are still ashtrays in the armrests in F! How old are these seats??).

Getting into NYC went really, really smooth. Less than an hour after touch down, I was in the subway. Definitely a new personal best!

ebra

3rd leg (day 3):
JFK-LAX
Flight: UA839, 18:10-21:26 (18:35-21:02)
Class: First (O)
Seat: 1A

I knew I shouldn’t expect much from UA Premium Service First, but after this my 3rd segment, I’m left with no clue as to why anybody would choose P.S. First over P.S. business or regular UA First.

One reason could be that you get access to the RCC First Class International lounge. In JFK that’s a really tiny lounge, but never mind that. I was the only one there when I arrived, and only two other people arrived while I was there (one was on my flight – the other probably on the later P.S. to LAX). There was a fair assortment of food-like stuff, and I enjoyed a Pepsi and a couple of Heinekens accompanied by a banana.

After boarding I found my seat, and discovered that someone had had a potato chip feast on the last flight. I asked the FA jokingly if she had a vacuum cleaner, but she just said “no, I’m sorry” and continued with whatever I she was doing. I brushed away the largest crumps, sat down and ordered a pre-flight champagne. After a while the FA came back and informed me, that unfortunately the champagne was frozen, but she was working on finding a solution. The champagne was frozen??? Do they get it in frozen in plastic bags and thaw it when it’s ordered?

Somehow the FA found an un-frozen bottle of champagne, and after a short delay, we took off. Shortly thereafter the DVD-players were distributed, and I settle with a Mountain Dew and movie (I had a fairly long drive ahead of me once I arrived in LAX, so this flight was entirely non alcoholic – apart from the aforementioned champagne and a glass of port – yes, more port – with the coffee). The movie selection was:

Last King of Scotland
The Last Kiss
The Prestige
The Departed
The Science of Sleep
For Your Consideration
Accepted
Happy Feet
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (I love it!)
Infamous

Food was somewhat of a surprise. The choice was between lamb, chicken and vegetarian (no fancy menu card here), so I went for the chicken and discovered it was a sort of … well … boiled? … Chicken, that reminded me of when I was a kid and visited my grandmother. It tasted as if they had just killed the poor thing and cooked her right there in the galley. It was very delicious in an extremely non-airline food way.

Unfortunately I was quite tired after a long day in NYC, and I didn’t take any notes, so I remember very little about the rest of the flight. I do remember the seat though, and it is not a fond memory. It was utterly impossible to find a really comfortable position, but maybe I should have just given up trying to stay awake and instead tried the “fully flat bed” – which may be flat but not horizontal. That would probably have made it easier to try not to fall asleep in the car afterwards, but the Hertz-person talked me into upgrading to a Corvette convertible, so staying awake was not that much of a problem. I may be old enough to drink large quantities of port, but give me a convertible with a huge V8 engine and I’m 20 years old again.

All in all not a very exhilaration UA flight, and after my return trip, I doubt that I’ll ever try P.S. first again.

ebra

4th leg (day 6):
LAX-JFK
Flight: UA30, 22:10-06:15 (22:28-06:11)
Class: First (O)
Seat: 1A

After a few days in LA, Vegas and the driver’s seat of the Corvette, I started my trip back home. The RCC First Lounge was bigger and better that the one in JFK, and I got a nice chicken wrap and another Heineken in the almost empty lounge before boarding the 757 to JFK.

I was among the first to board, and after the FA gave me a glass of champagne, he told me that there was a problem with the electrics in the seat. No juice in the power outlet for pc and DVD player, and the conversion to flat bed would probably have to be done manually. Strangely enough when we finally got in the air, the problem solved itself, and while my fellow passengers settled in for the night, I watched a movie (same selection as outbound), and was offered a “light snack” (a couple of cheese sticks similar to what was offered in the lounge) before I also reclined my seat and had a few hours of sleep.

I didn’t wake up until we were about to land, so I didn’t get any breakfast, but I had a long day ahead of me in New York, so I didn’t really mind. Just as I was about to leave the plane, I found out that I had spent the night next to Queen Latifah. I guess potential celebrity sightings could be the only reason for choosing P.S. First over Business …

ebra

5th leg (day 7):
JFK-FRA
Flight: LH405, 21:15-10:40 (21:45-10:41)
Class: First (O)
Seat: 81A

At around 18:00 I checked in for the trips last flight in First, and went to the LH lounge. I was told that dinner service would start at 18:30 so I had a Sam Adams and went to dining area where my boarding pass was checked and I was given a table. Dinner was:

Tortilla Mushroom Roll with avocado salsa
Mixed Green Salad with Caesars Dressing
Mild Indian Chicken Curry served over Basmati Rice
Fresh Fruit Plate
Selection of cheeses

… all washed down with plenty of champagne.

After the dinner there was just time to make my way through security and send a few dollars in the shops before boarding the plane. First was not full, and the seat next to me was empty, so I had plenty of space and privacy in 81A.

After the pre flight champagne and take off the very friendly FA asked my if I would like to sleep or if I would have dinner, and even though I should have probably skipped the food, the menu just looked to tempting. So I chose dinner and a movie:

The menu was:
Caviar with traditional Garnishes
Green Salad with Balsamic Dressing
Beef Tenderloin with charred Chayote Squash and Oyster Mushrooms
Chocolate Custard Cake with Raspberry Coulis

And to drink:
1997 Taittinger Champagne
2003 Syrah
and more Niepoort port

After that it was time for a good sleep and I decided to not be woken up for breakfast, and instead get as much rest as possible. Copenhagen and the office was approaching at the speed of light (or at least at about .8 of the speed of sound).

This flight was a whole lot nicer than the outbound trip a couple of days ago. The FA were extremely professional and gave a superb personal service. It might have been because there were only about 10 of us in first, but this was definitely the best service I have ever gotten on any flight.

After an on schedule landing in FRA, our 747 was parked on the apron and they let the first class passengers off first. There were no Porsches picking us up, but they did have a bus reserved just for us, so I didn’t take long before I was in the terminal looking for the F lounge.

ebra

6th leg (day 8):
FRA-CPH
Flight: SK1638, 12:45-14:10
Class: Business (I. No First on SK)
Seat: 3F

The F lounge in FRA is just as great as the FCT. As a matter of fact I was the only person there when I arrived, so for privacy the FCL gets the award. I took a quick shower in a very classy bathroom, and still had about half an hour to enjoy the lounge before the last leg of my trip.

I could still taste the wonderful champagne in my mouth when I walked over the SK gate, boarded the cramped little MD80 and woke up to reality. My knees bumped against the seat in front of me. The meal was a cold chicken-and-paste something. And the FA forgot the offer me coffee. Well, it was a short flight, so I survived, but (LH) first class treatment is really addictive.

ebra

And that was it. 145,000 SK-points well spent. Or was it?

It was a great trip. The LH service was (generally speaking) really, really good. The seats on the LH and UA flights were in a totally different league than the economy seats I usually squeeze myself into, so I didn’t have the usual aches and pains after the flights. And it was great to experience the exclusivity of F after spending endless hours in the back of the plane.

But having said that, no matter how much money I had, I doubt that I would ever buy a ticket in F (at least not from LH. SQ and others might be different). With the new C-classes like the ones you find on SK and LH transatlantic, you get a seat that is almost as good as F at a fraction of the price. You don’t get the FCT/FCL, but if I really had a lot of money, I would fly enough in LH C to reach HON. And if not, the price difference between C and F will buy you an awful lot of nice meals at a restaurant, drinks at a bar and what not on the ground.

145,000 SK points takes me almost two years to earn, so it’s a considerable chunk of points for me, but all in all I will have to say that experience was well worth it. The next time I have a lot of points I will probably try some of the Asian *A members and since an F award is not that much more expensive than a C award (Asia: 135,000 vs. 180,000) it might be in F again.

But it will probably be a while before I’m off on my next expensive adventure for points. Yesterday I flew CPH-GVA on SK and earned 260 points. So I’ll have to take 347 round trips from Denmark to Switzerland to earn an F award to Asia …

ajthegreat

thanks a lot, i like the report so far! didn't know hertz had corvettes.

Gnopps

Keep it coming, interesting indeed!

spurg

you got my attention. keep it comin

sftrvlr

An excellent start. Looking forward to the rest of the report. I could live in the LH FCT at FRA! And I agree w/ you about the old seats.

jacob_m

Many thanks for the report!!

Too bad your LH F-experience wasn't up to standard. The behaviour of that LH check-in agent in FRA really wasn't acceptable, especially not towards a passenger travelling in F.
And too bad you didn't get a private transfer to the plane from the FCT, sharing a car with other passengers really reduces the exclusivity of the service and makes it more like a general airport transfer.
Is that the usual practice in case of a full load in F?

Regarding the United P.S service I agree it's pretty bad. Considering a one-way ticket JFK-LAX in F is priced at 2300 USD + taxes I really think they could offer something better.
Crumbs on the seat and frozen champagne (actually it's only sparkling wine), what a joke!!

hairpeace

Queen Latifah!

sentom

its common practice if there is a lot of PAX in the FCT on the same flight. i personaly shared a S class and a mini van a couple of times and dont see any reduced service here.